Incinerator

ABSTRACT

An incinerator of large dimension is provided which is suitable for burning municipal and industrial refuse of widely varying combustibility, particle size and thermal output. A tower structure with a hollowed interior core is provided with an input for refuse at the top, an output for ash at the bottom, and a plurality of grates in horizontal rows between the input and output. Each of the grates includes a central header spanning the interior of the incinerator and a plurality of spaced hollow pipes intersecting the header in coplanar relation. Provision is made to flow water through the header and pipes of each grate to provide a steam byproduct from the combustion and to provide for grate cooling. The grates each can be tilted to permit refuse to fall from an upper grate row to a lower grate row within the incinerator along a path which is away from the incinerator sidewalls.

United States Patent 20 22 /T)'l% 2% an an in? HEL- an ABSTRACT: An incinerator of large dimension is provided which is suitable for burning municipal and industrial refuse of widely varying combustibility, particle size and thermal output. A tower structure with a hollowed interior core is provided with an input for refuse at the top, an output for ash at the bottom, and a plurality of grates in horizontal rows between the input and output. Each of the grates includes a central header spanning the interior of the incinerator and a plurality of spaced hollow pipes intersecting the header in coplanar relation. Provision is made to flow water through the header and pipes of each grate to provide a steam byproduct from the combustion and to provide for grate cooling. The grates each can be tilted to permit refuse to fall from an upper grate row to a lower grate row within the incinerator along a path which is away from the incinerator sidewalls.

atented March 16, 1971 3,570,422

2 Sheets-Sheet l BY JOHN L. WINTHER F|G 1 M w ATTORNEYS Patented Marsh 16,, 1971 3,570,422

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTQR- 0 JOHN L. WINTHER SL2 BY TM MT M ATTORNEYS HNCINERATOR This invention relates to incinerators and, more particularly, to a commercial incinerator of large dimension having tilting grates of improved operation and design.

Commercial incinerator design must include two major interrelated considerations. First, the incinerators must be given large areas on which combustion can occur. These large areas permit large particles commonly encountered in a commercial refu e mixture to be combusted without the employment of relatively expensive size-reducing steps.

Secondly, the structure internal of such commercial incinerators must be of sufficient strength to support the large particles undergoing combustion as well as to provide resistance to forces of dynamic loading which may take place during combustion in the incinerator. Such forces of dynamic loading can include the dropping of relatively heavy articles onto the grates and explosions or violent combustive decompositions which can, in a commercial refuse mixture, be anticipated from time to time.

Unfortunately, when temperature interior of an incinerator increases during combustion, the strength of the grates or other members for supporting the combusting material decreases. In order to provide sufficient strength to support the materials undergoing combustion, it is necessary that the stressed members interior of the combustion chamber remain relatively cool in order to maintain the structural integrity of these members.

An object of this invention is to provide grates for supporting relatively large-sized articles undergoing combustion within a large commercial incinerator. Accordingly, a cylindrical header or drum is supported between two walls of an incinerator. This header or drum, preferably cylindrical in configuration, is pierced by closely spaced pipes, each pipe being in a common plane with the remaining pipes and communicated with the interior of the drum to allow fluid flow therethrough for cooling.

An advantage of the grate construction herein illustrated is that through the circulation of cooling fluids, the wall temperatures of the grates can be closely controlled to prevent their becoming heated to the point where their load-supporting qualities are lost.

A further advantage of this invention is that when water is used for cooling of the grates, a steam byproduct results.

An additional advantage of the grate construction of this invention is that relatively large particles can be accommodated on the grates; the vast majority of commercial refuse particles combusted do not have to be reduced in size.

Still another advantage of this invention is that the grate construction is of sufficient strength that explosive or violent combustive decomposition which may be experienced from time to time in commercial refuse incineration can be accommodated interior of the incinerator of this invention.

A still further object of this invention is to disclose apparatus for successively tilting the grates; this enables the refuse being combusted to fall from an upper level interior of the incinerator to a lower level interior of the incinerator during its combustion.

An additional object of this invention is to disclose a gratetilting mechanism wherein combusted refuse falls away from the incinerator sidewalls.

FIG. l is a side elevation section of a commercial incinerator according to this invention, the view here illustrating the placement of successive grates for supporting material undergoing'combustion;

FIG. 2 is a plan section taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 11 particularly illustrating a group of grates disposed for the support of refuse;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of one of the grates of this invention;

FIG. 4 is an expanded side elevation section taken through one of the grates;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation schematic of apparatus suitable for simultaneously tilting a row of grates, the grates here being shown in a position for supporting refuse; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevation schematic similar to that of FIG. 5 with the grates tilted to a position wherein the refuse on their surfaces is released to fall to a lower level interior of the incinerator.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the incinerator of this invention is illustrated. Typically, hollow concrete structure A is provided with an incinerator input conveyor B at the top, ash output conveyor C at the bottom, and aplurality of grates I) here shown disposed in horizontal rows from top to bottom of the incinerator. Adjacent an end wall of the incinerator there is provided flues F through which the gases of combustion are exhausted and scrubbed for particle and impurity removal prior to being exhausted to the atmosphere.

Operation of the apparatus can be readily understood. Typically, air for supporting combustion is supplied from three major sources within the incinerator building A. First, an air jacket G defined between the inside concrete sidewalls of the incinerator structure A and a steel jacket immediately adjacent the walls on the inside of the incinerator has air forced therethrough. Secondly, air is supplied to the bottom of the incinerator through the opening in the vicinity of ash output conveyor C. Thirdly, air is supplied at the top of the incinerator through the opening in the vicinity of loading conveyor B.

Air is exhausted through flues F, only. Fan 25 at the outlet of flues F is controlled to draw air from the incinerator housing at a rate producing negative pressure interior of the incinerator. Consequently, combustion occurs within the incinerator. at a negative pressure; the only outflow of combustive gases will be at flue F.

Ignition of the refuse interior of the incinerator is provided by a series of gas jets I-I located at preselected intervals between the grates D. Additionally, and to prevent partial combustion of the gases within the incinerator, after burn gas jets .I are provided at the top of incinerator building A adjacent the entrance of flues F. A series of boiler tubes K are schematically shown disposed at the upward portion of the combustion chamber. These tubes serve to extract heat from the outflowing gases of combustion in a manner similar to an economizer on a conventional boiler.

Typically, refuse .to be combusted is introduced at the top of the incinerator by operation of loading conveyor B. Initially, the refuse falls interior of the incinerator and onto the first layer of grates D. Each layer of grates is from time to time, at preselected intervals, tilted. This tilting causes refuse deposited on each level of grates to fall from one grate level to the lower and adjacent grate level. As can be readily understood, by sequential tilting of the respective grates from the uppermost grates to the lowermost grates refuse being incinerated can be made to fall from the top of the incinerator to the bottom of the incinerator.

It will be appreciated that the sequential falling of the refuse will produce efficient combustion. First, refuse within the incinerator will have ample opportunity to be heated to its kindling point. Excess moisture will be baked out of the refuse to be combusted at the upper levels of the incinerator. In the medial level of the incinerator substantially all portions of the articles being combusted will be heated to their kindling point. Moreover, the falling of the refuse from grate to grate within the incinerator will provide agitation for separating the particles undergoing combustion. Finally, the sequential tilting of the grates at the bottom will deposit the ash from the combusted materials onto the clinker conveyor C from which they may subsequently be conveyed out of the incinerator.

Incinerator building A is a reinforced concrete structure having parallel sidewalls M with a single end wall 15 interconnecting one end of walls id, and three flue partitions lo, 17 and 18 interconnecting the other end of walls 14. In construction, the incinerator structure is constructed as a hollow core by slip forming techniques or the like. At the topmost portion thereof a series of U-sectioned channel beams 20 are supported across the sidewalls 14 in side-by-side relation and capped at their upwardly protruding U with a flashing 22. Beams 2t) and flashing 22 are typically removable so that access to the interior of the incinerator can be had from overhead.

End wall is provided with two apertures. At the top portion thereof an aperture 22 is provided for loading conveyor B. At the bottom portion thereof an aperture 24 is provided for clinker conveyor C.

Rear wall 16 extends less than the vertical height of incinerator building A so as to define between U-sectioned beams and the top of wall 16, an exhaust for the gases of combustion. Wall 16, spanning between the two sidewalls 14, provides the separation between flue F and the main combustion area internal of the incinerator.

Wall 17 extends vertically the height of the incinerator between U-shaped channels 20 at the top and the building foundation. This wall is provided with aperture 27 therethrough at a preselected level immediately above the foundation. Typically, the gases of combustion are drawn from the top portion of the incinerator building A between walls 16 and 17 and pulled downwardly and through aperture 27.

A second flue is defined between walls 17 and 18. This flue has its intake at aperture 27 and operates to discharge the gases of combustion at the top thereof between walls 17 and 13 as shown in FIG. 1. Draft fan 29 is provided at the top of the flue to forcibly discharge the gases of combustion.

Loading conveyor B can be virtually any type of conveyor known. Typically, this conveyor is loaded at a lower end (not shown) with refuse and the refuse transported along an upwardly moving upper conveyor belt 32. Refuse reaching the upmost portion of the conveyor is dumped on a plate 34 and falling upon plate 34 slides into the interior of the incinerator.

Ash output conveyor C is provided for ash removal at the bottom of the incinerator. Typically, clinker conveyor C is of a width extending substantially between the two sidewalls 14 of incinerator structure A. This conveyor is constantly sprayed with water supplied through header 39 and has an upper run of its belt 41 running from the interior of building structure A to the exterior thereof.

At the outward end of ash conveyor C there is provided ash hopper 43. This hopper serves to direct selected clinker onto the clinker disposal conveyor 45 and to reject oversized clinker for reprocessing.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the construction of the grates of this invention is illustrated. Typically, each of the grates includes a central header 53 having at each end thereof a flange 54. Preferably header 53 is of circular construction. At opposite ends of header 53 there are provided two trunnions 55, each trunnion having a flange 56 complementary in size to flange 54 on header 53. As is apparent, by the expedient of providing aligned apertures and bolts, flanges 54 and 56 can be joined together in coaxial relation so as to fasten trunnion 55 to each end of header 53.

Header 53 is pierced by a group of pipes 58. Each pipe 58 extends through header 53, preferably at the medial portion thereof, and extends outwardly spanning beyond header 53 on either side thereof. All pipes 58 pierce header 53 in substantially coplanar relation. These pipes together with header 53 form a gratelike construction permitting air to flow therethrough and at the same time supporting the particles undergoing combustion thereon.

Header 53, trunnions 55 and pipes 58 are all of hollow, fluidtight construction. A fluid fitting 60 is provided at the end of each trunnion 55. Fluid connections 60 are in turn communicated to input headers 61A at one side of incinerator building A and to output headers 618 at the other side of building A. Connectors 60 can be of any standard construction; one connector suitable for use with this invention is a ball joint fitting manufactured by the Barco Company under the trademark I-IT/BALL JOINTS. Thus, fluid is inflowed into the trunnions 55 and header 53 through fluid connection 60 at one end; fluid is outflowed from header 53 and trunnion 55 through the fluid connection 60 at the opposite end.

Pipes 58 are preferably communicated to the fluid interior of header 53 at apertures 62 in the pipe sidewalls (see the section of FIG. 4). Thus, it will be seen that the interior of each of grates D is water cooled. This water acts to maintain the metal from which the grate is formed in a temperature state where it can support articles undergoing combustion and at the same time serves to generate a steam byproduct which can be sold or used for energy contained therewithin.

Removal of grates D from interior of the incinerator can be readily understood. With appropriate channel beam 20 removal to provide the necessary overhead access, flanges 54 and 56 of a grate D are unbolted. Thereafter, header 53 with its attached pipes 58 is removed. Finally, trunnions 55 can be removed by being pulled interior of incinerator building A and removed. As is apparent, placement of grates D within the incinerator would be the reverse of this process.

Referring to FIG. 2, it will be seen that each of the grates D extends through air jacket G and the sidewalls 14 at trunnions 55. On the outside of the grates the trunnions are supported on roller bearing mountings as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, it will be seen that each of the sidewalls 14 of the incinerator building A has mounted on the outside surface thereof adjacent each layer of grates D a supporting ledge 70. On this ledge at a position coaxial with each grate, there are mounted paired rollers 72, which rollers are spaced to accommodate therebetween trunnions 55 extending outwardly from each of the grates D. With this mounting, grates D are each pivotal about their respective trunnions to turn their respective pipes from a horizontal disposition where particles can be supported to a vertical disposition where particles can be released to fall to lower grate levels.

Tilting of grates D is effected by a piston and longitudinal linkage 76 interconnecting each grate layer. Typically, one trunnion 55 of each grate D is provided at the end thereof with a lever 77 fixedly attached thereto. As lever 77 is moved angularly, trunnion 55, its attached header 53 and pipes 58 and 0pposite trunnion 55 will all tilt from a horizontal to vertical position. By the expedient of providing a pin connection between arms 77 and links 76, all grates can be made to turn at the same time.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, important features of the tilting grate apparatus of this invention can be understood. First, it will be noted that linkages 76 and 77 are all designed to turn the respective grates beyond 90 or the vertical position; the grates when tilted to move to a position beyond the vertical cause materials supported on their upward surface to fall clear of the grates.

Secondly, it will be noted that those grates nearest end walls 15 and 16 tilt at their surfaces adjacent the wall upwardly and away from the wall to cause materials thereon to fall or slide away from the wall. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, it will be seen that a second linkage 76 extends to the pinion 55A remote from cylinder 75. Link 76A extends to an arm 77A attached to the grate D adjacent wall 16. Unlike the arms 77 which extend angularly upward from their respective trunnions 55, arm 77A extends angularly downward from its trunnion 55A. When actuated by linkage 77A to move away from piston 75, arm 77A is angularly moved opposite to the remaining trunnions pivoted by the linkage mechanism. As can be readily seen, while all the controlled trunnions move clockwise from a closed position to the open or debris discharging position, trunnion 55A moves counterclockwise. In order to insure uniform distribution of combusting material, it is preferred that alternate rows of grates D tip in alternate rotational directions.

Referring to FIG. 1, it will be seen that providing this counterclockwise motion to the right-handmost grate D will cause refuse deposited thereon to be tipped and deposited away from the sidewalls of the incinerator.

Flues F, include apparatus well known and understood in the art for removing particles and impurities from the combusted gases. Typically, downcoming flue F between walls 16 and 17 is provided with a plurality of spray manifolds 80 which Flue F between walls 17 and 1 8 discharges the gases upwardly to forced draft blower 29. Typically, this flue is provided with a series of spray headers 90, which spray headers release fresh water, industrial deodorants, or both in opposition to the upflowing gas. As is apparent, the excess product added at headers 90 fall to a sump 92 where they can again be recycled in the outflowing air.

Air jacket G is provided by a metal liner 95 which extends around the entirety of the periphery of incinerator building A adjacent the main combustion area. A series of blowers 96 force air into the spatial interval between metallic jacket 95 and the walls of building A.

Jacket 95 opened at the bottom thereof adjacent the lower levels of grates. Air forced by blowers 96 into jacket G discharges interior of the incinerator and provides a portion of the oxygen necessary for combustion.

Jacket G serves two purposes. First, the jacket serves as a preheater using the excess heat of combustion to heat the inflowing air. Secondly, the jacket effectively insulates the combustion area interior of the furnace from the walls of the concrete tower structure A. As the layer of air between metal liner 95 and the sidewalls of the building structure A is constantly flowing and further is a relatively good insulator, protection of the building structure from excessive heat is provided.

Grates D as illustrated thus far in this invention have included one row of pipes 58 piercing in coplanar relation the header 53. As is apparent, the grate of this invention can be constructed with one or more rows of pipes 58. For example, a second row of pipes 58 could be'disposed through header 53, the plane of this second row spaced angularly about the header 90 from the plane of the'first row. Moreover, the grates can be constantly rotated about their longitudinal axis in order to accomplish the transfer of refuse from level to level.

Likewise, it will be noted that the input to the incinerator consists of a conveyor. It is noted that many similar incinerators use a crane and clam shell pocket or similar apparatus for the input.

These and other modifications of my invention may be practiced, it being understood that the form of my invention as described above is to be taken as a preferred example of the same. Such description has been by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding. Changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

lclaim:

1. In an incinerator having two opposing sidewalls for confining therebetween material undergoing combustion, apparatus for supporting said combusting materials comprising: a header spanning substantially the entire distance between said sidewalls; paired trunnions extending from each end of said header coaxially to the sidewalls of said incinerators; trunnion support means attached to said sidewalls supporting said trunnions and permitting rotation of said trunnions; each said trunnions hollowed for the communication of cooling fluids from the exterior of said sidewalls into said header in said. combustive area between said sidewalls; and a plurality of spaced heat conducting pipes passed through said header in coplanar relation normal to the axial length of said header for defining in cooperation with said header a surface for supporting combustive materials.

2. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said trunnions extend outward and beyond the sidewalls of said incinerators.

3. The invention of claim 1 and wherein trunnion support means is mounted to said walls at a position wherein said walls are interposed between said combustion and said trunnion support means.

4. In an incinerator having two opposing sidewalls for confining therebetween material undergoing combustion; an input for refuse at the top of said incinerator and an output for ash at the bottom of said incinerator, apparatus for supporting combusting materials intermediate said input and output comprising; a first row of grates disposed along a first preselected substantially horizontal plane between said input and output; a second row of grates disposed along a second and lower substantially horizontal plane between said input and said output; each said grate including a header spanning substantially the entire distance between said incinerator sidewalls, heat-conducting grate members extending outwardly on either side of said headers, and means for communicating cooling fluids to the interior of said header; first grate-tilting means for tilting said first row of grates from a first material supporting position to a second material dropping position; second grate-tilting means for tilting said second row of grates from a first material supporting position to a second material dropping position whereby combusting material can be dropped interior of said incinerator from said input to said output through sequential levels of temporary support on said grates.

5. The invention of claim 4 and wherein said first material supporting positions and said second material dropping positions of said grates are separated by an angle of more than 6. The invention of claim 4 and including means for tilting the outside grates of each said row in opposing directions, said opposing directions causing the remote extremity of each said outboard grate to rotate upwardly and towards the remote extremity of the other said outboard grate.

7. In combination: an enclosed incinerator housing; an input through a top portion of said housing for depositing refuse to be combusted in said incinerator; an output extending through a bottom portion of said housing for removing ash; a plurality of grates disposed between said input and said output; means for communicating cooling water into said gratesat one end of said grates at another end; and grate-tilting means mounted to said walls and rotatably supporting said grates on said walls for sequentially tilting each said grate for causing combusting material to fall sequentially through preselected levels interior of said incinerator.

8. The invention of claim 7 and wherein said disposed in at least one substantially horizontal row.

9. An incinerator comprising an enclosed rectangular housing including at least four sidewalls; a roof for said housing including at least one removable member for providing access to the interior of said housing; an input extending through a top portion of said housing for depositing refuse therein to be combusted; an output extending through a bottom portion of said housing for removing ash therefrom; at least one grate disposed interior of said housing between said input and said output; said grate including a header extending between two sidewalls of said housing; grate tilting means mounted to said sidewall for permitting rotation of said grate about said sidewalls; and support means interconnecting said header and said grate tilting means for permitting rotational movement of said grates on said supports.

grates are 

1. In an incinerator having two opposing sidewalls for confining therebetween material undergoing combustion, apparatus for supporting said combusting materials comprising: a header spanning substantially the entire distance between said sidewalls; paired trunnions extending from each end of said header coaxially to the sidewalls of said incinerators; trunnion support means attached to said sidewalls supporting said trunnions and permitting rotation of said trunnions; each said trunnions hollowed for the communication of cooling fluids from the exterior of said sidewalls into said header in said combustive area between said sidewalls; and a plurality of spaced heat conducting pipes passed through said header in coplanar relation normal to the axial length of said header for defining in cooperation with said header a surface for supporting combustive materials.
 2. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said trunnions extend outward and beyond the sidewalls of said incinerators.
 3. The invention of claim 1 and wherein trunnion support means is mounted to said walls at a position wherein said walls are interposed between said combustion and said trunnion support means.
 4. In an incinerator having two opposing sidewalls for confining therebetween material undergoing combustion; an input for refuse at the top of said incinerator and an output for ash at the bottom of said incinerator, apparatus for supporting combusting materials intermediate said input and output comprising; a first row of grates disposed along a first preselected substantially horizontal plane between said input and output; a second row of grates disposed along a second and lower substantially horizontal plane between said input and said output; each said grate including a header spanning substantially the entire distance between said incinerator sidewalls, heat-conducting grate members extending outwardly on either side of said headers, and means for communicating cooling fluids to the interior of said header; first grate-tilting means for tilting said first row of grates from a first material supporting position to a second material dropping position; second grate-tilting means for tilting said second row of grates from a first material supporting position to a second material dropping position whereby combusting material can be dropped interior of said incinerator from said input to said output through sequential levels of temporary support on said grates.
 5. The invention of claim 4 and wherein said first material supporting positions and said second material dropping positions of said grates are separated by an angle of more than 90*.
 6. The invention of claim 4 and including means for tilting the outside grates of each said row in opposing directions, said opposing directions causing the remote extremity of each said outboard grate to rotate upwardly and towards the Remote extremity of the other said outboard grate.
 7. In combination: an enclosed incinerator housing; an input through a top portion of said housing for depositing refuse to be combusted in said incinerator; an output extending through a bottom portion of said housing for removing ash; a plurality of grates disposed between said input and said output; means for communicating cooling water into said grates at one end of said grates at another end; and grate-tilting means mounted to said walls and rotatably supporting said grates on said walls for sequentially tilting each said grate for causing combusting material to fall sequentially through preselected levels interior of said incinerator.
 8. The invention of claim 7 and wherein said grates are disposed in at least one substantially horizontal row.
 9. An incinerator comprising an enclosed rectangular housing including at least four sidewalls; a roof for said housing including at least one removable member for providing access to the interior of said housing; an input extending through a top portion of said housing for depositing refuse therein to be combusted; an output extending through a bottom portion of said housing for removing ash therefrom; at least one grate disposed interior of said housing between said input and said output; said grate including a header extending between two sidewalls of said housing; grate tilting means mounted to said sidewall for permitting rotation of said grate about said sidewalls; and support means interconnecting said header and said grate tilting means for permitting rotational movement of said grates on said supports. 